DOHA – Qatar Airways today announced a further expansion of its route network in Africa with Djibouti joining its ever-growing list of destinations served direct from the airline’s Doha hub.

Thrice-weekly non-stop flights will operate from Doha to Djibouti beginning from 27 July 2014.

Today’s announcement comes as Qatar Airways prepares for a busy few months ahead with the launch of scheduled flights to Philadelphia and Larnaca in April; Edinburgh and Istanbul Sabiha in May; Miami and Tokyo Haneda in June and Dallas/Fort Worth in July.

Bordered by Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia, Djibouti has an economy that is largely concentrated in the service sector and the country has limited international air services – a void Qatar Airways is set to fill with its huge international network of routes via its Doha hub.

Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways chief executive officer, said: “Djibouti is another example of Qatar Airways’ commitment to opening up access to destinations that are largely underserved by international airlines and have great market potential.
 
“Just in September last year we launched thrice-weekly operations to neighbouring Ethiopia. We believe that these exciting destinations in the “Horn of Africa” have great potential linking up with key feeder markets in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and other parts of the world.

“As an airline with an ever expanding global network of 136 destinations, Qatar Airways will be able to fulfil the needs of the travelling public from such markets, and for those wanting to travel there from destinations we serve around the world."

The Doha - Djibouti route will be served with an Airbus A320 featuring up to 12 seats in Business Class and up to 132 seats in Economy. The aircraft features seatback TV screens providing all passengers in both cabins with the next generation interactive onboard entertainment systems.